I have been kicking around the idea of a new cartridge. I have now 223(several), 6.5 swede(2), 308(3) and a 6.5-06. I have been looking long and hard at a 338-06. Would that give me a pretty good battery for hunting? What are your suggestions?

IMO with the .338-06 which is near the .338 Magnum one is fit for everything short of dangerous game.

If at all possible it should be made on a featherweight barrel....Douglas has refused to make me a featherweight in .338 bore but I'd try again.

They go as high as .308 cal in the feathewrweight.

with your other rifles, you're ready with a very fine battery for everything from squirrels to Eland and even Cape buffalo if it was in a pinch....look around...see if Ray heard that...

After that all you need is the final installment.....a .416-06....but worry about that one later.

quote:

Originally posted by vapodog:
IMO with the .338-06 should be made on a featherweight barrel....

You must be a stouter lad than I VD. Last week at the range a young fellow asked me to help him get his 30-06 featherweight on paper. Damn near tore my shoulder off. Got a few chuckles from the peanut gallery over my exhuberent expressions. roger

quote:

Originally posted by bartsche:

quote:

Originally posted by vapodog:
IMO with the .338-06 should be made on a featherweight barrel....

You must be a stouter lad than I VD. Last week at the range a young fellow asked me to help him get his 30-06 featherweight on paper. Damn near tore my shoulder off. Got a few chuckles from the peanut gallery over my exhuberent expressions. roger

Roger.....even when I shoot the .30-06 feathewrweight from the bench, I use a sandbag between the stock and my shoulder. The .338-06 can be shot the same way I think. Here's my point.....the value in the -06 wildcat certainly isn't performance as we can get a .338 Mag for less than building a wild cat. The value is in weight. Let the featherweight barrels roll..... Besides, shooting even a .375 H&H in the field is not a punishing event.....the .338-06 featherweight will also be a easy shooting gun in the field.....after one takes a shit kicking from the bench.

You both make good points. It wouldn't be the most enjoyable rifle, and might not get shot as much as it should. But like Vapo says, it's very near the Win Mag, and isn't any cheaper.
Solution? Get a 338 Win Mag!
Then you can get rid of the others except for your favorite 6.5 and be done with it!
Actually, I see nothing wrong with a 338-06 in a sporter weight. It takes care of most of what people like about the 338 Mag, but kicks much less.
I'm a power monger, and would go for something bigger myself, but there have been times I've looked strong at the 338-06. Were I to go there it would be about .02" bigger in the bore. The Whelen does a lot.
If you're just into wildcats for no good reason (like myself) then think aboutthe 35 W Imp. You get a wee more room, and can still shoot factory ammo. Plus you get to pay more for the dies....